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20/06/2005
According to the BBC, IBF light heavyweight champion Clinton Woods has given up his hopes of being Roy Jones' comeback opponent and has agreed to fight his mandatory in September against Julio Gonzalez. The bout would likely be in Sheffield, England, the champ's hometown. Woods is hoping to use the bout as a stepping stone to get to the true light heavyweight champion of the world, Antonio Tarver (who is recognized by the IBO and Boxingtalk but none of the big four sanctioning bodies). However, Woods better not over look Gonzalez, who is far more than just a gatekeeper. A former Mexcian Olympian, Gonzalez defeated Dariusz Michalczewski for the WBO title in Germany in 2003 and although he will be the challenger, he outranks Woods in the Boxingtalk ratings, #5 compared to #7. Woods lost to Jones in 2002. -- Scott ShafferÂ
